What is GTFS?
GTFS, the General Transit Feed Specification, is an open format for public transport timetables and related geographic information. A GTFS feed is a zip file of simple text tables, for example agencies, stops, routes, trips and stop times. It started as the Google Transit Feed Specification and is now stewarded by MobilityData.
Reference: GTFS Schedule reference.
What is GTFS Realtime?
GTFS Realtime is an extension for live information. It carries trip updates such as delays and cancellations, vehicle positions and service alerts, and is encoded with Protocol Buffers, a compact binary format.
Reference: GTFS Realtime reference.
GTFS compared with NeTEx and SIRI
How it is used in MMTIS
GTFS is not a CEN standard, but it is common practice, and many National Access Points accept or publish it alongside or instead of NeTEx. Check your National Access Point for what is accepted. See all data formats.
What is inside a GTFS feed?
A GTFS Schedule feed is a zip file with comma-separated text files. The main ones describe agencies, stops, routes, trips, stop times and calendars. Optional files add fares, transfers, shapes and more. The simple structure is a big reason for its popularity. See NeTEx vs GTFS and SIRI vs GTFS Realtime.
Validate before you publish
Validators exist for GTFS, for example from MobilityData. Run one before publishing, and fix errors such as missing stops, wrong coordinates and calendar mistakes.
Getting started
- Documentation: gtfs.org
- Community and tools: MobilityData
- Open-source routing: OpenTripPlanner
Frequently asked questions
What does GTFS stand for?
General Transit Feed Specification.
Is GTFS an EU standard?
No. It is an open, community-maintained format. The European CEN standards for the same data are NeTEx and SIRI.